352 Bulletin 163. 



to the growth of the Rhizodonia of carnations in cultures. In 

 general it seems that the soils of the State are usually in need 

 of liming, and where this beet disease appears it would be very 

 well to make an application of lime. Sixty to seventy bushels of 

 air-slaked lime per acre would be a cheap and effective means 

 of securing the desired alkalinity. It would be preferable to 

 make this application in the autumn, or at least before the 

 ground is turned, so that the lime would be well distributed. 



II. Leaf Spot of the Beet [Cercospora beticola Sacc). 



a. Geyieral Account. 



The above disease is one of ver}^ wide distribution. It has 

 long been known both in this country and in Europe, and it 

 probably occurs in all regions where beets are grow^n even to a 

 limited extent. It is a well known disease of the red garden 

 beet, but many of the garden varieties are so resistant that the 

 disease is not there a matter of great concern. My observations 

 in this State indicate that it is much more injurious to sugar 

 beets, than to the red varieties, and much damage w^as done by 

 it during the past year. For this reason it needs to be brought 

 to the special attention of those interested in the culture of sugar 

 beets. 



The name w^ell denotes the appearance of the disease, at least 

 in the early stages. It begins as small brown spots with a red- 

 dish purple margin, these spots being scattered irregularly over 

 the leaf, as in figure 56. The spots become ashen gray at the 

 centers, with the border as before ; and they may become so 

 numerous as to cover a large portion of the surface of the leaf 

 before there is any general discoloration of the blade. In time, 

 however, the blade shows a parched appearance, begins to 

 blacken gradually from the distal portions towards the stalk, and 

 finall}^ the w^hole leaf is black and crisp. As soon as the leaves 

 begin to appear parched and dry, they stand more nearh^ upright 

 on the crown, and a whole field badly affected with this disease 

 makes a very characteristic appearance, as showm in figure 57. 

 The individual blades that are badly affected are somewhat 

 curled or rolled, and even this is slightly evident in the photo- 

 graph. 



